AirPods 4 vs AirPods Pro 2: Is the $70 Upgrade Actually Worth It?

Based on expert reviews from RTINGS, SoundGuys, and real user feedback from Apple forums

The short answer: The AirPods Pro 2 win for anyone who cares about noise cancellation, sound quality, or battery life. They offer 2x better ANC, longer battery, volume controls on the stem, and exclusive features like clinical-grade hearing aids. At $249 retail (often $199 on sale), the extra $70 over AirPods 4 buys you genuinely better earbuds—not just marginally better. Get AirPods Pro 2 on Amazon for $199 →

The Fighters

	AirPods 4 (with ANC)	AirPods Pro 2
Price	$179 on Amazon (often $99-169 on sale)	$249 on Amazon (often $179-199 on sale)
Best For	Open-ear preference, light ANC needs	Commuters, travelers, audio quality
Design	Open-ear, no tips	In-ear with silicone tips (4 sizes)
ANC Level	Moderate ("ANC Lite")	Industry-leading (2x AirPods 4)
Battery	4 hours (ANC on)	6 hours
Volume Control	Phone/Siri only	Swipe on stem

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The Death Match: 6 Rounds, 1 Winner

We're scoring each round from 1-10. Higher score wins the round. Let's fight!

Round 1: Noise Cancellation

This is the headline feature for both—and where the gap is biggest.

The AirPods Pro 2 have noise cancellation that ranks among the best on the market. Apple claims they deliver "up to 2x more ANC" than AirPods 4, and testing confirms it. During a loud power washing test, one reviewer reported the Pro 2 completely eliminated the noise—while AirPods 4 only reduced it. On airplanes, engine hum disappears with Pro 2; it's merely quieter with AirPods 4.

The AirPods 4's ANC is what reviewers call "ANC Lite." Without ear tips creating a seal, they cancel about 20dB in mids and highs—enough to mute office HVAC and ambient chatter. But low frequencies? They come right through. Worse, fit affects performance: if the bud shifts in your ear, ANC has to recalibrate, which is distracting.

AirPods 4 (with ANC)	AirPods Pro 2
5/10	10/10

Round 1 Winner: AirPods Pro 2 — Industry-leading ANC that actually blocks noise, not just reduces it.

Score after Round 1: AirPods 4: 5 | AirPods Pro 2: 10

Round 2: Sound Quality

Both use Apple's H2 chip, but identical specs don't mean identical sound.

The AirPods Pro 2 feature high-excursion low-distortion drivers that deliver a bigger soundstage with more open, detailed, natural sound. Bass is taut and weighty without overpowering the rest of the frequency spectrum. Because the silicone tips seal your ear canal, you get consistent sound regardless of how you're moving or positioned.

AirPods 4 sound quality varies wildly depending on fit. Without a seal, they're lacking in sub-bass frequencies below 100Hz. The soundstage is narrower and more "2D flat." They can sound good for podcasts and casual listening, but if you actually care about music, the difference is audible.

AirPods 4 (with ANC)	AirPods Pro 2
6/10	9/10

Round 2 Winner: AirPods Pro 2 — Better bass, bigger soundstage, and consistent quality thanks to the sealed fit.

Score after Round 2: AirPods 4: 11 | AirPods Pro 2: 19

Round 3: Design & Comfort

This is where preference splits sharply—some people genuinely hate in-ear tips.

AirPods 4 use an open-ear, one-size-fits-all design with no silicone tips. They're lighter (9g vs 11g for buds) with a notably smaller case. For people who find in-ear tips uncomfortable or get "earfatigue" after extended wear, this is genuinely better. MacRumors forum users specifically praise them because "silicone tips make my ear sore after a little while."

AirPods Pro 2 include four sizes of silicone tips (XS, S, M, L) to find your best fit. This creates a secure seal that improves both ANC and sound quality. The tradeoff: some people find any in-ear design uncomfortable. The case is larger and heavier (62g vs 43g), though it adds MagSafe and Apple Watch charging.

AirPods 4 (with ANC)	AirPods Pro 2
8/10	7/10

Round 3 Winner: AirPods 4 — Open-ear comfort and a smaller case win for all-day wearability.

Score after Round 3: AirPods 4: 19 | AirPods Pro 2: 26

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Round 4: Battery Life

Simple math here, with a clear winner.

AirPods Pro 2 deliver 6 hours of listening time on a single charge, with 30+ hours total including the case. That's enough for a cross-country flight plus layover without touching the charger.

AirPods 4 with ANC only manage 4 hours with noise cancellation enabled—5 hours if you turn ANC off. Total case capacity is 20-30 hours depending on ANC usage. For a work-from-home day, fine. For travel or heavy use, you'll be charging more often.

AirPods 4 (with ANC)	AirPods Pro 2
6/10	9/10

Round 4 Winner: AirPods Pro 2 — 50% more battery life with ANC enabled matters for real-world use.

Score after Round 4: AirPods 4: 25 | AirPods Pro 2: 35

Round 5: Features & Controls

The Pro 2 have features that AirPods 4 simply don't—including a killer one.

AirPods Pro 2 include volume swipe controls on the stem—pinch for play/pause, swipe for volume. Game-changer when your phone is in your pocket or bag. They also have Conversation Awareness (auto-lowers music when you speak), Adaptive Audio that adjusts ANC in real-time, and—crucially—a clinical-grade Hearing Aid feature for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. This alone could justify the price for the right person.

AirPods 4 have no volume controls on the earbuds. Changing volume means pulling out your phone or talking to Siri. No Conversation Awareness, no hearing aid features. They're essentially stripped-down Pro 2s with an open-ear design.

AirPods 4 (with ANC)	AirPods Pro 2
5/10	9/10

Round 5 Winner: AirPods Pro 2 — Volume controls alone are worth it; hearing aid features are life-changing for some.

Score after Round 5: AirPods 4: 30 | AirPods Pro 2: 44

Round 6: Value for Money

Let's talk about what you actually pay versus what you get.

AirPods 4 with ANC retail for $179 but frequently drop to $99-169 on sale. At $99, they're an incredible value—decent ANC, H2 chip features, and Apple ecosystem integration for under $100. At full price, the value proposition weakens considerably.

AirPods Pro 2 retail for $249 but are regularly available for $179-199—sometimes hitting all-time lows during major sales. At $199, the $20-30 premium over discounted AirPods 4 buys you dramatically better ANC, sound quality, battery life, and features. That's a no-brainer upgrade for most buyers.

AirPods 4 (with ANC)	AirPods Pro 2
8/10	8/10

Round 6: TIE — Both offer excellent value on sale; full MSRP favors AirPods 4 slightly.

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Final Score

Product	Total Score	Verdict
AirPods Pro 2	52/60	WINNER
AirPods 4 (with ANC)	38/60

The Winner: AirPods Pro 2

The AirPods Pro 2 dominate this comparison, winning 4 of 6 rounds decisively. Their ANC is genuinely twice as effective as AirPods 4's "ANC Lite." Sound quality is more consistent and bass-rich thanks to the sealed ear tip design. Battery life is 50% longer. And the volume swipe controls plus hearing aid features are things AirPods 4 simply cannot offer.

Is the extra $70 worth it? At retail prices, it's debatable—$179 vs $249 is meaningful. But both products are frequently discounted. When AirPods Pro 2 drop to $199 and AirPods 4 sit at $169, the $30 difference becomes trivial for dramatically better earbuds.

The AirPods 4 aren't bad—they're just compromised. Apple managed to add ANC without ear tips, which is impressive engineering. But physics wins: without a seal, you get inferior noise cancellation, inconsistent sound quality, and shorter battery life. For casual office use or podcast listening, they're fine. For anything more demanding, the Pro 2 justify their premium.

Ready to buy the winner? Get AirPods Pro 2 on Amazon →

When the Loser Actually Wins

AirPods 4 aren't right for everyone, but they're the better choice if:

You hate in-ear tips — Some people genuinely find silicone tips uncomfortable. If earbuds that seal your ear canal cause soreness or fatigue, AirPods 4's open design is liberating.
You need situational awareness — Working in an open office, walking city streets, or caring for kids? The open design lets environmental sounds through by design.
Your ANC needs are light — Office HVAC hum, café background noise, light keyboard clicking? AirPods 4's ANC handles these fine.
Budget is firm — At sale prices of $99-129, AirPods 4 are genuinely excellent value. If $199 for Pro 2 isn't happening, these are a solid choice.
You want a smaller case — The AirPods 4 case is noticeably more compact and lighter. For pocket carry, it's meaningfully better.

AirPods 4 might be right for you: Check price on Amazon →

Frequently Asked Questions

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Are AirPods 4 with ANC good enough for airplane travel?

Marginally. They'll reduce engine hum but won't eliminate it like AirPods Pro 2. You'll still hear announcements and nearby conversations. If you fly frequently, the Pro 2's ANC is worth the upgrade.

Can I adjust the EQ on either model?

No. Neither AirPods model allows custom EQ settings—you get Apple's tuning, like it or not. This is one of the few legitimate complaints about both products.

Do AirPods Pro 2 ear tips wear out?

Yes. Silicone tips can develop small tears after extended use, affecting comfort and seal quality. Replacement tips cost $8 from Apple or cheaper from third parties. Budget for this if you're a heavy user.

Are AirPods Pro 2 hearing aid features worth it?

If you have mild to moderate hearing loss, potentially yes. The clinical-grade hearing aid feature is revolutionary—real hearing enhancement without buying dedicated devices. However, it's not a replacement for severe hearing loss treatment.

Should I wait for AirPods Pro 3?

Maybe. Rumors suggest AirPods Pro 3 will launch with health monitoring features. If you can wait, holding out might be smart. But Pro 2 are excellent now and frequently discounted—waiting for vaporware while missing current deals isn't always wise.